2026 Event Volunteer Information and Sign Up
More information about volunteering at Food & Folly 2026 can be found below. The sign up sheet can be found at the bottom of this page.
General Event Information
About Food & Folly
Now in its 17th year, Food & Folly is United Cerebral Palsy of Mobile’s signature fall fundraiser, bringing the spirit of Mardi Gras to Fort Whiting on Thursday, September 17. The event welcomes approximately 350 guests for an evening of food from top local restaurants, live music, a silent auction, and tastings of wine, beer, and spirits. Learn more about the event here.
Event Details
Date: September 17
Event Time: 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Location: Fort Whiting, 1630 S Broad St, Mobile, AL 36605
Event Website: ucpmobile.org/foodandfolly
General Volunteer Information
Thank you for your willingness to volunteer at Food & Folly. Your gift of time is invaluable in helping us create a successful and memorable event that supports individuals with disabilities!
Below is a comprehensive guide to help you understand your role and responsibilities during the event.
Age Requirement: Food & Folly is a 21+ event and, as such, we cannot accept volunteers during the event itself who are under the age of 21.
Tickets: Volunteers do not require a ticket to the event. If you bring a guest who is not volunteering, they will need to purchase a ticket.
Attire: Food & Folly is a business casual event (though we also embrace festive Mardi Gras attire). Wear comfortable footwear as you will be on your feet for the majority of your volunteer shift.
Communication: If you have any questions or need assistance during your shift, don't hesitate to reach out to the Volunteer Captain listed for your placement. If you are unable to make your shift, please notify your Volunteer Captain as soon as possible.
Courtesy: Always maintain a friendly and professional demeanor when interacting with event attendees.
Flexibility: As a Food & Folly volunteer, please plan to be flexible with your volunteer placement and be available to accept a different placement as necessary to help us make the event a success.
Breaks: We want you to enjoy the Food & Folly event as much as possible while volunteering, and encourage breaks to enjoy food tastings, etc. Please coordinate any breaks with your Volunteer Captain lead to ensure coverage at your location.
End of Shift: At the end of your shift, please return any provided materials. If your shift ends before the end of the event, feel free to enjoy the remainder of the event.
Volunteer Placement Details
Event Load-In & Set Up
Volunteer Placement Captain: Jennifer Cooley, 251.604.0354
This volunteer placement is for UCP Staff only. Dress for comfort. You will assist with loading up event items at UCP's main office and unloading, distributing items at Fort Whiting. We will need assistance with load-in and/or set up on both Wednesday 9/16 (afternoon) and Thursday 9/17 (morning).
Front Desk
Volunteer Placement Captain: Allison Gailard, 251.769.3714
Volunteers in this role are responsible for first impressions as attendees enter our event.
Volunteers will be responsible for any of the following tasks:
Scanning digital tickets to "check-in" attendees (device will be provided)
Distributing Mardi Gras beads to attendees (one gold and one purple bead per attendee). It is your responsibility to explain that the beads are used as a way for attendees to vote on their favorite savory dish and their favorite sweet treat from our participating restaurants and caterers.
Distributing tasting glassware. Each attendee will receive one glass while supplies last.
Distributing event programs.
Helping attendees locate their table, if applicable.
Towards the end of the event, volunteers will assist with weighing the beads collected for each restaurant/caterer to determine our People's Choice Winners
Beverage Tasting
Volunteer Placement Captain: Theresa Webb, 334.375.0150
Volunteers in this role will serve tasting pours to our attendees of either wine, craft beer or spirits.
Each attendee will have a tasting glass, but they can receive samples of either beer or wine. Pourers for spirits will be provided with shot glasses to provide attendees.
It is possible your station may come with tasting notes for your beverage--if that is the case, we encourage you to share that information with the attendees as they sample.
A tasting pour of wine or beer should fill approximately half of the glass.
Silent Auction
Volunteer Placement Captain: Matrisza Alvarez, 251.656.2656
Volunteers in this role will help monitor the event's silent auction.
While the silent auction items are displayed at the event, our silent auction and bidding is all handled online. Each auction item will have a QR code displayed with it. Attendees can scan the code with their smartphone to bid on the item. We also offer a "Buy It Now" option for select items. The online silent auction is up for two weeks prior to the Food & Folly event and it will close at 9 p.m. the night of the event.
You may be provided a tablet to help some attendees see more details/make a bid/pay for their item(s).
Volunteers at the end of the event will help with silent auction "check out" after the auction has ended. All attendees are asked to report to the silent auction area to collect their winning item(s). Please do not allow someone to leave with their item until they have come to the check out table.
Wine Pull
Volunteer Placement Captain: Diana Brown, 251.391.1661
Volunteers in this role will assist with the sale of wine pulls. Our wine pull is sponsored by The Orthopaedic Group.
Each pull is $40 and you’ll receive a bottle of wine valued at least $40 (many are valued much more)!
Once all of the wine pulls are sold, this table closes and volunteers can become floaters.
Floaters
Volunteer Placement Captain: Jennifer Cooley, 251.604.0354
Volunteers in this role will be on hand to fill in for any on-site event needs, including any of the positions listed above, or to help with other tasks as assigned.
Event Breakdown & Load-Out
Volunteer Placement Captain: Jennifer Cooley, 251.604.0354
Volunteers in this role will assist in the post-event breakdown, including clearing tables, packing up materials, carrying boxes out of event venue and ensuring the event venue is left in good condition. Volunteers in this role can dress comfortably and are not required to be 21 or older.
Post-Event Unloading
Volunteer Placement Captain: Jennifer Cooley, 251.604.0354
This volunteer placement is for UCP Staff only. Dress for comfort. You will assist with unloading event items at UCP's main office and nearby storage unit. We will need assistance with post-event unloading on the morning of Friday, 9/18.
Volunteer Sign Up Form
If you are interested in volunteering at Food & Folly 2026, please complete the following form. Select any and all of the placements you are interested in and our team will assign you based on event needs.
Your placement preferences will be taken into consideration though they are not guaranteed. You will receive an email confirming your placement within 3 days of the event.
